Hub for motor-vehicles.



No, 760,684.. fnTBNnTBD Mum, 1904*..

- E. P. GUWLES. Y HUB PoR MOTOR VEHICLES.- APLIOTION FILED DEO. 31| 1901. I

m: qms Perris no. moro-urne., wnsnwnwn, u.'c.

- EDWARD r. cowLEsgoF WARREN, oino.

HUB Fo'amoToR-VEHICLES..

Patented May 24, 1904.

PAT-ENT DFFIC.

` SPECIFICATION forming part of :Letters Patent N0. 760,684,'datedy May 24, 1904.

Application filed Demtr 91,1901. stanno. 87,833. (No man.)

Tok all whom t nea/y Concern); v

Be it'known that I, EDWARD; P. CoWLEs, a

citizen of the United States, residing at Warren, l.in thecounty ofi Trumbull, State of Ohio,

have invented certain new and useful Improve# ments in Hubs for Motor-Vehicles, of which .the following is a specification.`

The purpose of this invention to provide an improved driving and steering hub for motor-vehicles deslgned with special reference to utilizing` all the Wheels ofa vehicle for hubs on the rear axle of a vehicle.

Adriving as well as steering and in which the pivotal connection between the hub and the axle is inv the vrevolving plane of. the wheel. The hubs may also vbe used as driving and steering hubson the forward axle in connection with` the ordinary non-steering. drivingthetorsionalstress required to drive the ve'- hiele. 3 Y

In the accompanying drawings, Figurel is a plan view of the hub and connected parts,

the hub-rim being partly broken away. Fig. 2

is a vertical section through the h ub and connected parts.- Fig. 3 is a section on the line 3 3 of Fig. 2, and Fig. 4'is an outer end view of the axle-box.

Referring tothe f'drawings, l indicates'a fixed tubular axleforming part of the runningvgear of a vehicle, upon which the weight ofthe vehicle-body is sustained. .I The. outer end of the axle is provided with suitable in-v terior reinforcing-rings 2, and v it is exteriorly threadedg'gas indicated 'by the, reference-nu# meralgf Upon the outer end of the tubular of the axle in a vertical plane, eacharm having nearits outer end an eye 6, adapted to sleeve, and for convenience in assembling the fork is made in two parts, the arm 4 being The are l formed linte-gral with an upper semicylindrical clamping' portion 4a and the lower arm 5 be- .ing formed integral with a similar clamping portion 5, Theseclamping portions are interiorly threaded to engage the threaded portion `3 of the tubular axle,and they are clamped to said axle by means of suitablebolts 9;. This combined clamping vand threaded connection between the fork and the tubular'axle not only permits the eyes of the fork-to be placed readily over the trunnions 7 but provides a very strong-and secure joint between the fork yand the axle. Y To further strengthen the fork. vthe outer ends of the fork-arms are connected. by semicircular curved arms l0 and ll, which extend laground the sleeve 8 and are securedtogether at their meeting-points by `bolts 12.- The forlcarms are thus tied together at their outer .is necessarily distributed between the two arms. By reference to Figs.r.1 and 3 it will beobserved thatV althoughthe trunnions7 are arranged in 4the plane'` of revolution of the wheel the-arms 4 5 of .the supporting-fork are offset slightly from the vertical plane of the rotating axis of the wheel. When the l.steering-wheels are outside of the curve `they are turning, they` swing laterally to a less extent `than when on the inside of such curve, owing to their revolving planes beingalways tangential to concentric circles: By offsetting the fork-arms 4 5 slightly from the vplane hof the axis *off revolution` ofthe wheel and shaping their outside surfaces to conform to the inner faceof the outer hub member when turned laterally to their extreme limit I amig`Y y,enabledtoemploy arms 4 5 of relatively large cross-section, while using a hubof minimum gpdbeter, and also to make said arms substanv axleis secured a forkhaving two arms 4 and 5, which projectJ outwardly. beyond the .end

vtia'lly triangular in cross-section, as shown in F.ig'. 3Which form is well adapted, to resist ;lateral strains on said arms.

A ball-bearing A.13 is arranged around the upper trunnion 7 between the fork-arm 4 and the sleeve 8. A .suificientclearance is provided'between the curved -arms 10 and 11 and the exterior of the sleeve to permit the latter to oseillate in` a horizontal planethrough the maximum angle required for steering the vehicle.

vends, andthe weight and stress upon the fork Within the sleeve 8 is revolubly mounted an axle-box 1-1, suitable bearings 15 being arranged between said box and sleeve. Upon the outer end of the box 14 is detachably secured a hub-rim 16. This hub-rim, as shown, is formed with a boss 17 at its outer end, which lits closely over the outer end of the axle-box and is provided with aiange having radial teeth 18, which interlock with teeth 19, formed upon the end of the axle-box. The body portion of the hub-rim, as shown, extends inwardly and surrounds the central parts of the hub, the spoke-flanges 16 being equidistant from the trunnions 7, so that said trunnions are in the revolving plane of the wheel. This'hub-rim is detachably secured to the axle-box by a suitable nut 20, havinga threaded connection 21 with the interior of the axle-box and a flange 22, which projects radially outward and bears against the outer face of the boss 17, holding the teeth upon the flange in locking engagement .with the toothed face of the axle-box. A suitable adjusting-collar or ball-cone 23 is provided upon the axle-box for giving the proper adjustment ofthe ball-bearings 15. This cone is locked by and serves as a stop for the hub-boss 17, which is forced against the cone by the nut 20. When thehub-rim and axle-box are thus secured together, it will be plain that the rotation of the axle-box will cause the hub-rim t0 be positively driven.

The driving axle or shaft 24 extends longitudinally through the iixed tubular axle 1 and into the interior of the axle-box. V Projecting radially from the driving-shaft, at or near the end thereof and in the same plane as the trunnions 7, are several studs or pins 25, preferably four in number', and extending at angles of ninety degrees to one another. Surrounding each stud is a roller 26. Ribs or guide-pieces- 27, 28, 29, and 30 are arranged longitudinally within the interior of the axle-box and either integral therewith or otherwise secured thereto. The opposing faces of adjacent ribs are parallel with one another and separated byl sufficient distance to permit one of the rollers 26 to move longitudinally and roll between the opposing faces .withwaswlittlesidev,playmaspossible. Thus four guide-slots 31, 32, 33, and 34 are formed between the guide-pieces, and the four studs upon the driving-shafts, with their surrounding rollers, extend into the slots and are adapted to bear against the guidepieces. It will be seen that a universal joint is thus formed between the driving-shaft and the axle-box, which will permit the box to turn in a horizontal plane relatively to the shaft. The rotation of the shaft by the driving power causes the rollers to bear against the guide-pieces, and thus turn the axle-box and hub. As the power is transmitted from the shaft to the axle-box in the plane of the trunnions 7 as well as the revolving plane of the wheel, it will be obvious that' the drivingshaft will not tend to cause a deiiection oi the wheel. When the hub is deiieeted to steer the vehicle, the studs 25 and rollers 26 describe a sort of a gyratory motion relatively to the axle-box; but as the center of gyration in the universal joint is at the point where the horizontal axis of the box and the vertical axis oi the trunnions intersect and in the revolving plane of the wheel the driving power will not tend to deiiect the wheel, and obstructions upon the road will have little or no tendency to deflect the wheel or strain the steering mechanism. To permit the hub to swing about the trunnions without interference between the guide-pieces and the driving-shaft, said guidepieces are cut away at their inner ends, as indicated by reference-numerals 27", 28, 29, and 30. A dust-guard 35 is secured to the inner end of the sleeve 8v and provided with a central horizontal slot 36, through which the driving-shaft extends. The hub is conveniently oscillated about the trunnions by means of an arm 37, attached to one side of the sleeve 8, and a lever suitably connected to said arm. In the present instance the arm 37 is connected to the forks 38and 39 upon a rod 40, which latteris intended to be connected with the hand-operated steering devices, the arrangement shown being suitable for a vehicle in which four or more of the wheels are driving as well as steering wheels and in which each wheel is connected by a separate rod 4() to steering devices at a common steering-center and all operated simultaneously to steer the vehicle.

It will be evident that neither the rotation of the axle-box on its axis nor its oscillation in a horizontal plane will have any tendency to disturb the alinement of the shaft 24, and the driving-shaft is not subject to the weight of the vehicle or the stress upon the wheels.

The hub-rim,it will be noted,may be quickly removed from the axle-box in case of damage by simply removing the nut 20, and a spare wheel may be immediately applied to the axlebox without disturbing the adjustment of the ball-bearings. The axle-boxes of all the hubs being alike, the wheels can be readily intel'- changed.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is

1. The combination with a fixed support of a driving and steering hub comprising a sleeve pivotally connected to said support, a tubular trunnion or axle-box journaled within said sleeve, a hub-rim connected to said axle-box and a driving-shaft connected to said axle-box by a universal joint.

2. The combination with a lixed support of a driving and steering hub comprising a sleeve pivotally connected to said support, a tubular trunnion or axle-box journaled within said sleeve, a hub-rim connected to the outer end of said box and extending inwardly around IOO llO

4the sleeve, and a1 driving'shaft connected toi said axle-box by auniversal joint.

3. The combination with a fixed support o f'` trunnion or` axle-box journaled within said sleeve, said box having ribs or shoulders there# in, and a driving-shaft extending into the axle-,f

boxand having lateral projections engaging said ribs.

'4. The combinationwith a fixed support of a driving and steering hub comprising a sleeve pivotally connected to said support, a tubular trunnion Ior axlebox kjournaled within Vsaid sleeve, said box havinglongitudinally-extend ing ribs or shoulders therein, and a drivings'haf't'extending intotheaxle-box and having laterallyeprojecting studs extending into the spaces betweenthe ribs, and rollers upon said 5. The combination with a fixedsupport of a drivingand steering hub comprising a sleeve pivotally connected at diametrically opposite points to said support, a tubular trunnion or axle-box journaled in said sleeve, means for attaching a wheel to said axle-box and a drivingshaft connectedto said axle-'box by a unif versal joint, said joint being" in line with the pivotal axis of the sleeve.

, 6. rlhe combination with a fixed tubular axle oflja pair offo'rk-arrns secured to and p rojectingfbeyondthe end of the axle in avertical plane, a sleevepivoted atits opposite sides between the arms of said fork, an axle-box jou'rnaledin` the sleeve, means for connecting a .wheel to said sleeve, andadrivingaxle connectedV by a universal joint'to the interior of the axle-box.

7. The combination with a fixed axle and a pair of fork-arms secured thereto and'having eyes at their outer, ends, of -a wheel-hub including a bearing-sleeve arranged within the hub and having trunnions tting within said eyes, and a driving-shaft connected to said sleeve by a universal joint.

8. The combination with a fixed support, of a driving and steering hub comprising abearing-sleeve, a driving-shaft connected to said sleeve by a universal joint, a tubular trunnion or axle-box journaled within said sleeve,

a hub-rim connected to the outer end of said axle-box and extending -inwardly around the sleeve, and pivotal connections between said support and sleeve in the plane of rotation of the wheel.

9. rlhe combination with a fixed axle of a `pair of separable fork-arms secured to said 10. In a vehicle-hu b thecombination with a fixed support and a bearing-sleeve pivota v.

secured to said support, of'an axle-bo naled within said sleeve, said axle-box teeth or projections at its outer end, a hubrimadapted to fitv ontosaid axle-box, and havversal joint said Ajoint beingin line with the-4 pivotal axis of the sleeve.

12'. 'lfhecombination with a iixed support of a driving and steering hub comprising a sleeve pivotally connected at diametrically opposite points' to said support, a tubular trunnion or axle-,box journaled in said sleeve, and a driv ing-shaft connected to said axle-box by auniversal joint said joint being at the intersection'of the axialand pivotal lines of the sleeve.`

13. rlfhe combination `with an axle and a wheel-hub, of a forksecured to the axle and having its members extending into the hub'and engaging vertical steeringtrunnions therein, arms secured tosaidfork members and ex'- tending about a portion ofthe hub, and means detachably Aconnecting the said arms of one fork memberto the corresponding arms of the other fork member. i

14. The combination with a fixed axle, of a pair of separable kfork-arms secured to said axle, and a wheel-hub having vertical trunnions mounted in said arms.

.15. The combination-with a fixed axle, of a pair of separable fork-arms' secured` to said 17. .The combination with ahxed 'axle,' pair of separable fork-arms each having ia lone end an expanded clamping portion and having an eye formed near itsopposite end, means for connecting said. expanded sections of the arms to the stationary axle, a hub having trunnio/nslfittingin the eyes in said forkar1 ns,'a"n iV means connecting said arms at or near t .cir apertured ends. f

1.9" he'combination with a fixed axle hav- Sol IOO

IIO

external ythread formed thereon, of aA with threads adapted to engage the thread on the axle, means connecting said expanded ends of the fork-arms and clamping them to the j the shaft and having a hollow spoke-bearing member projecting over the end of the axle, and a bearing between said shaft and axle within the hub.

removable fastening holding said hub and sleeve in engagement.

24. The com bination of an axle, a sleeve sup- 4 5 ported by the axle, antifriction-bearings arranged between said sleeve and the support therefor, a wheel-hub extending concentric with said sleeve and having means detachably engaging therewith, and a removable fastening holding the hub and sleeve in engagement.

25. The combination with an axle, and a wheel-hub, of a steering-fork connecting said axle and hub, the said fork being offset from 20. The combination with an axle, and a wheel-hub,of antifriction-bearings interposed [5 `between the axle and hub, and means connecting the hub and axle and permitting removal of the hub without disturbing or removing said bearings.

-- 21. The combination of an axle, two concentric sleeves supported by the axle, antifrietion-bearings arranged between said sleeves,

a wheel-hub, and means detachably counect ing said hub with one of said sleeves, whereby the hub can be removed without in any manner disturbing the bearings or supports therefor.

22. The combination of an axle, a wheel-hub consisting of two concentric sections, adapted A to receive between them a tubular bearingpiece supported by the axle, and antifrictionbearings arranged between the inner hub-seetion and said bearing-piece, the hub-sections being detachably connected together, whereby the outer, spoke-engaging member, may be 3 5 removed without removing or disturbing the bearings between the hub and axles.

23. rlhe combination of an axle, asleeve supported by the axle and having a plurality of teeth or projections at its outer end, a wheel- 40 hub extending concentric with said sleeve and having a toothed flange engaging the projections at the outer end of the sleeve, and a the vertical plane of the axis of revolution of the hub.

26. The combination with an axle, and a wheel-hub, of a steering-fork secured to the axle, and having vertical trunnions engaging the hub and arranged in the vertical plane of 6o the axis of revolution of the hub, the arms of said fork, between the trunnions and axle, being offset from said plane.

27. The combination with an axle, and a Wheel-hub, of a steering-fork extending from the axle and projecting into the hub, the exterior surfaces of the fork-arms within the hub being curved to conform to adjacent surfaces of the hub when the latter is adjusted about its steering-trunnions.

28. The combination with an axle, and a wheel-hub, of a steering-fork extending from the axle and projecting into the hub, the forliarms within the hub being substantially triangular in cross-section and having curved ex- 7 5 terior surfaces conforming to the adjacent surfaces of the hub when the latter is adjusted about its steering-trunnions.

In testimony whereof 1 afiix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

EDWARD P. COW LES.

Witnesses:

J. L. HERZOG, S. B. CRAIG. 

